Xarelto

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a blood thinner, also known as an anticoagulant, which is used to prevent blood clots and strokes. The medication is a joint venture between Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Bayer AG. Unlike certain other anticoagulants that require specifically prescribed doses for each patient, Xarelto is an oral anticoagulant that is administered in one uniform dose.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Xarelto for use by patients that have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery to lower their risk of blood clots, people with atrial fibrillation to reduce their risk of stroke, and for patients suffering from pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.

At Altman & Altman, LLP, our Boston dangerous drug lawyers represent Xarelto injury patients and their families against pharmaceutical companies and other liable parties. Contact our Massachusetts drug defect law firm today online or by calling 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 toll-free to request your free case assessment.

Xarelto has been marketed as a more convenient option to the blood thinner warfarin, which requires regular blood tests and a strict diet. However, unlike warfarin, Xarelto does not have an antidote to stop uncontrollable bleeding, which is one of its most serious side effects.

Types of bleeding that have been linked to Xarelto:

• Rectal bleeding
• Intestinal bleeds
• Abdominal bleeds
• Bleeding in the brain
• Spinal bleeds

Symptoms of internal bleeding from Xarelto are not always obvious: blood in the stool, fatigue, pale skin, abdominal swelling, easy bruising, dizziness, anemia, or stroke-like symptoms. If a patient starts bleeding uncontrollably from Xarelto, the hemorrhaging will continue until the medication is flushed out of the body. Uncontrolled bleeding may lead to serious complications, especially if this occurs close to a major organ or pools of blood start to form internally. In some cases, excessive bleeding from Xarelto may be fatal.

Excessive bleeding is not the only serious side effect from Xarelto. Other possible complications include hematoma, cerebrovascular accidents, dyspnea, peripheral swelling, and a decrease in hemoglobin. The FDA has even added a black box warning to Xarelto for spinal bleed, cautioning that spinal hematomas can develop, which may lead to permanent paralysis.

Certain people are at greater risk of suffering from Xarelto’s serious side effects than others, including pregnant women, people taking platelet inhibitors, NSAIDs, and other medications that can impact clotting, patients using epidural catheters, and those with a history of spinal trauma or who have undergone spinal surgery.

Now, plaintiffs are filing Xarelto injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits to pursue compensation from the pharmaceutical companies, which they say neglected to warn the public about the health risks and complications. A patient who was prescribed Xarelto might even have reason to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor that recommended the drug or did not warn about the complications that might arise.

At Altman & Altman LLP, our Boston Xarelto lawyers represent patients and their families seeking to obtain Massachusetts drug injury compensation. We also have Boston medical malpractice lawyers that represent clients with claims against hospitals, doctors, and other medical professionals for negligence. Contact us today for your free, no obligation consultation.